Today’s Vice President for Campus Safety:
Dear Bruin Community:
I am writing to share an update on yesterday’s demonstrations on campus, which resulted in violence, property destruction, and blocked student access to parts of campus.
This is completely unacceptable. The demonstrations ignored our values as a community, violated our campus policies and broke the law. These actions hurt people, threatened the safety of our communities and damaged our campuses. These behaviors also prevent students from completing their final exams.
The event began around 3:15 p.m. at the top of the steps leading to Royce Plaza, where a group dyed the water of Shapiro Fountain red, cordoned off the area with water-filled barriers and razor wire, used amplified sound, and Put up tents and canopies. When the group was told to disperse, they moved to the Kerkhof courtyard with their wooden shields. At Kerkhoff Terrace, the group began vandalizing property with permanent red paint and erecting barriers to prevent students and the public from accessing that part of campus. Meanwhile, another group in Moore Hall disrupted final exams.
When the crowd on Kerkhoff Terrace was told to disperse, they moved to an area near Dodd Hall. This resulted in some students missing final exams because they were unable to access classrooms. Additionally, some students had to be evacuated during final exams.
Violent attacks against security and law enforcement officers also occurred throughout the night, resulting in at least six injuries to UCPD officers [= UCLA Police Department] personnel and other security officials. A security guard was bleeding from the head after being hit by an object. Simply put, these acts of non-peaceful protest are abhorrent and cannot continue.
During these incidents, 27 people were arrested. We are still determining which of those arrested are not members of the UCLA community. Arrested students will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with UCOP guidance [UCOP = UC Office of the President]which may include campus exclusions that would prevent them from being on campus to take final exams or attend graduation ceremonies.
UCLA is deeply committed to protecting the free expression rights of everyone in the community, regardless of their views, so long as demonstrations are peaceful and follow guidelines for the appropriate time, place and manner of demonstrations on campus. Yesterday’s protest was not peaceful. These guidelines support initiatives that do not compromise safety or disrupt University operations.
Disruptions and protests are expected at various locations on campus leading up to the conclusion of the commencement ceremony. The right to free speech will be protected, but we will not tolerate violence. Protecting UCLA faculty, staff, students, and visitors and creating an environment conducive to teaching, learning, working, and living remains our top priority. The campus community belongs to all of us, and we must set the example of the respect we expect from others.
